what is the best form of listening? Is it empathy as empathy is usually described?

I think emotional calmness is better than getting emotionally worked up about what someone is feeling.
This is why I tell my best friend everything bad that's happened to me, but I don't tell my family.
If I tell my family, they will get all worked up, and upset, and emotional, and then I will be more upset and distraught because now I am upset and distraught at having to deal with their strong emotions.
But my best friend will just listen, in perfect calm, he will think about what I said, and give a piece of genuinely good advice.