About debt consolidation loans

I see there's a new article about this option.
http://billeater.com/tips/how-avoid-dangers-debt-consolidation-loans
 
I always put debt consolidation companies on a par with loan sharks. Am I wrong? I assumed they get a commission or fee from whichever company financed the loan so how would you know they were working for your best interests and not theirs? Are they independent?