The correct way as far as I could make out was pretend to be happy and go find a therapist I don't trust and can't afford because friends are only for Fun Times, or something. Not that her therapist fixed any of the issues she liked to vent about.
I can't always be there either but I too never promise that, and when I am around I do my best, and that's all any of us can do!
"Just be with" yes, that's it exactly. Not try and fix things, just let you feel how you feel.
It's been eyeopening to talk with you and a few other people about all this and see that I'm definitely not alone in these feelings nor these experiences. *hugs*