If you are serious about eliminating this debt, the first thing I would do it cut up all of those credit cards... maybe keep one for emergencies (TRUE emergencies) but toss the rest. You don't mention why you accumulated this debt or if the $5500 figure is very large for you... everyone's situation is different. But it is in your best interest to pay off high-interest debt first before any discretionary spending or savings plan.
Figure out a payment plan. Can you afford $250/month, paying off the debt in a couple of years? $500/month? $100/month? Figure out your number. Be honest with yourself.
As far as how to consolidate the debt, most credit cards give decent rates for "balance transfers" along the lines of "0% for 12 months" or "2.99% for the life of the balance..." if you have excellent credit. They do charge a fee for balance transfers, usually around 3%, but that one-time fee is a far cry from the 9.99%, 16.99%, 22.99% that you may be paying (and compounding) right now.
If you have poor credit, then you may not qualify for such low-interest rate offers. But it also means that you probably won't qualify for a personal loan. A personal loan may not be a good deal, anyway... it is still high-interest, unsecured debt.
Bottom line: Figure out the payment you can afford each month. Consolidate your debt to a low-interest account, if possible. Stick to the plan. And don't accumulate more debt. Everyone's situation is different. If you feel that you need to speak with a credit counselor, then go for it.
It is great that you identified the issue now with "only" $5500 in debt. Oftentimes people don't see an issue until they are at much higher multiples.
