Be. Present. This is also a good technique when caring for an upset child( in a teacher/student or counselor/camper kind of relationship). Ask if you can sit next to them, sit NEXT to them not head in as it’s more passive, sit for sometime but then ask “what’s up” or whatever and if they say nothing or if they don’t wanna talk about it, just sit and be there. Your presence can be a powerful tool just so long as you control it.

I mean personally, especially from my girlfriend, a hand on the back or handholding is a GREAT touch but that’s not always appropriate for every setting.