Debt Consolidation on my credit

No, consolidation doesn't hurt your credit if you are looking at your credit in the long run. The program will appear in your file as long as you are in the plan. Once it's over, the program will be taken off from the report. The lenders viewing your file during this period will know that you paid the accounts through the program rather than defaulting on them. This can be taken in the good way, though you may need to negotiate on the interest rates. If you can make the payments on your own without using any professional help, that will always be the best move