I certainly think that it is useful to have strategies in mind, but for me it's all about having a genuine and insightful conversation. There's nothing quite as inspiring and uplifting as sensing that the other person is actually listening to you, that s/he processed what you had to say, and the reply is actually relevant to your problem and that it resonates with you. I shut off if I sense that the person I'm sharing my problems with is simply spouting of platitudes or playing semantic defense. A conversation can be immensely therapeutical as long as all parts involved are present and are able to establish an authentic connection.
I totally agree. As in thenewgreen's story above, the troubled person can tell if you are with them emotionally and then they are able to relax.There's nothing quite as inspiring and uplifting as sensing that the other person is actually listening to you, that s/he processed what you had to say, and the reply is actually relevant to your problem and that it resonates with you.