How should I help my boyfriend through hard times?

I want to be much of a good girlfriend as I can. My boyfriend's been going through some things with his family lately. And, I'm not sure of how it's really making him feel. I tell him that he can talk to me about anything, come to me at any time he wants...basically, I just want be a listening ear for him and do what I can for him.

He's always there to listen to my worries. But, I'm afraid that I don't know how to deal with giving him advice, because he's such a one-worder, two-sentence type of person when it comes to telling me his problems. He says that he usually deals with these things himself, is that a problem? Should he let me help him or not?