Listening--focussing on what he/she says--verses worrying/thinking about what you are going to say to them is key. One reason I trusted my therapist (who recently retired) is that sometimes when I asked her a question--she did not always have the answer. She did not pretend to know why. You will do fine if you are just a patient listener and make as few judgements as possible about his/her situation until you really get to know them (it may take them a while to open up). Hopefully, you will click or become more comfortable with each other over time. I think you can do this. When I am feeling bad and post--just the "hugs" people give at this forum are appreciated. For them to do that--all they need to do is read and click a button! Well over 50 percent of comforting someone is just being available in their time of need. If you are careful not to say something hurtful---you will be just fine!