Hi Galen, This publication, before answering the question, brings me some reflections. One of them is that we are surrounded by messages about techniques, meditations, types of breathing, etc., when what is simple and effective in many cases is to turn to a friendly shoulder. The second question, as you point out in the publication, is the number of people giving advice on social networks to people they do not know.
On the question, whenever a friend has asked me for some time I have always given it, although I am not one of those who normally gives advice. And, conversely, the other way around, too. When I have needed a shoulder I have turned to a real friend and not a virtual one.
There's a few really great techniques to use in situations like this where one can avoid advice-giving but help guide the other person to their own outcomes. I assume you know some of those techniques and have used them, as have I.
As for the social media aspect...I'm not a fan of social media and don't have much at all of a positive nature to say about it...people would argue with me, the lemmings of the world, the sheep and that's ok, their opinions are theirs, right or wrong.
I do not despise the techniques, but my experience tells me that they work best if there is a good emotional bond with the one who teaches them.
On the point of who might be on the other side.... Yes, I think I once talked to a lemming, or so I think.....