Hello. I tried to get an appointment at my local mental health clinic, but the waiting list was like a mile long, and they said it could take literally a few weeks to get an appointment. I feel like I need the counseling due to my anger, depression, and occasional suicide ideation, but it's just not available right now . Then I thought, "You know, even if I did go to therapy, all the therapist would say is to engage in a hobby in order to keep myself occupied and take my mind off of all that anger, depression, and other negative things."

One of my hobbies that I fell in love with about a year ago is Brazilian Portuguese (yes, as opposed to European Portuguese, which I've read is quite different). Brazilian Portuguese (henceforth, B.P.) has to be one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful language in the world! Speaking it is almost like an orgasm in my mouth (sorry for the explicit metaphor)! I did say in an earlier post that I speak fluent Castillian Spanish, and guess what? Spanish and Portuguese are 89% similar, so I still get to keep up my Spanish.

I found a company (won't say which one because I don't want to advertise, but feel free to PM me) that gives B.P. lessons via Skype, and charges $60 an hour, which is what a "good" therapist would charge. In fact, a "good"/well-qualified therapist could easily charge $100-150 an hour, and many of them don't even take insurance (in which case, the client would have to file a claim with his insurance company for reimbursement, and guess what? Many health insurance companies don't even cover counseling and mental health!). So, anyway, about B.P. lessons....if nothing else, I get to talk to a Brazilian woman in Portuguese for a whole hour .

I would say that B.P. lessons would be just as therapeutic for me as actual counseling/therapy. I'll bet my next paycheck that after my B.P. lesson this afternoon, I'll get the exact same "high" feeling (i.e. release of dopamine) that I get after completing an hour of counseling.

What do you all think? Has anyone here ever engaged in a hobby in lieu of going to therapy? If so, do you also think it's just as effective as therapy?