Try to find a company that is non-profit. They will be working in your best interest, where other companies may not. They will be the most help to you in the long run. They also will have different resources than other profit companies will.
 Use debt consolidation as a last resort. Do everything that you can before you try this, with the exception of bankruptcy. You need to try calling your creditor and trying to work out payments with them that will work with your budget better. You may also try finding a way to budget more money towards paying off what you owe. After you have tried everything, then it is time to call a debt consolidation company.
 Note that they are going to pay off all of your debts and then you will only owe them one (usually lower) monthly payment. This can save you in interest over the long term, but sometimes in an effort to lower your monthly payment, they have to stretch out the loan over more time. This can make it so that the interest you are paying is more than you would have otherwise. You have to look at the long term, not just how it is going to help you right now.
 There are some companies that require you to offer up something as collateral when you decide to go with them. This is something that you may not get back if you don't make the payments that are necessary. Make sure that you put up something that you can live without, try not to use something that has sentimental value. If you got to the situation that you needed debt consolidation, then there is a chance that you might not fix your habits and you may lose your collateral.
 When you use debt consolidation, they pay off all of your debts as was said before. This means that your credit cards are going to have a zero balance. For some people this is very tempting. You may start charging up your credit cards again, which is only adding more to your situation. Make sure that if you are going to have trouble not using your credit cards that you close the accounts so that you can't even try. Although, having a credit card in case of emergency is a very good idea for every family.
 You may also be limited by the company on future purchases until your debt is paid off. That means that you may not be able to buy a new car if yours has problems, you may not be able to buy or sell a home, or you may not be able to finance any furniture or vacations. So if you are thinking about moving or you may need a new car soon then you might be better to wait before you go in for debt consolidation.

If you know what you are doing, then debt consolidation may be just what you need to get back on top of your finances. Just make sure that you have explored every option first, there are other ways to fix what needs fixing.