[webmobdev]

Listening doesn't mean you just sit quietly. You have to be an active listener. That means using non-verbal cues (nodding, squeezing hands etc.) to show you are listening and chiming in with empathy. E.g. "What? That must have meed you feel pissed of at so-and-so!" or "I would have been crushed if someone told that to my face." or even the inquisitive *"Did that annoy you? Why do you think he said that?"* ... etc. When people vent, they mainly do it for two reason - (1) expressing their true feelings is healthy and (2) they are looking for validation of their actions, feeling and emotions.

Listening helps with 1, active listening helps with 2. (And sometimes, not validating some feeling or emotion that seems inappropriate for the situation, without offering advise, also helps.)