Applying Lessons from AI Counseling Research to BridgeIt, the Cultural Coach

When Dartmouth researchers launched the first clinical trial of a therapy chatbot, they were testing both technology and trust. The results recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine were impressive.

The study followed 106 individuals diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or eating disorders as they engaged with “Therabot,” an AI-powered conversational therapist. They found a 51% reduction in depressive symptoms. A 31% drop in anxiety. Even a 19% improvement in body image and weight concerns among those at risk for eating disorders.

These results are impressive, comparable to traditional outpatient therapy.

AI achieved those results with a consistent, supportive, and personalized dialogue built on validated therapeutic frameworks.  Therabot listened and asked relevant follow-up questions. It helped people reflect and grow.

At Skiilify, this is exactly how we built BridgeIt, our AI-powered cultural coach.  While BridgeIt isn’t a therapist (and never will be), this study from Dartmouth offers two big takeaways for how AI can elevate soft skills coaching asBridgeIt does:

1. Conversational AI can move the needle

BridgeIt is designed to build cultural agility through micro-conversations by offering insights and providing nudges to help people strengthen competencies like humility and perspective-taking. The Therabot study shows that with the right design, AI conversations can lead to measurable growth. This gives us confidence that BridgeIt can genuinely help people change how they show up in global contexts.

2. Users trust AI that feels safe, supportive, and smart

Therabot’s tone and timing mattered. So does BridgeIt’s. We’re invested in a coaching voice that feels like a sharp and supportive guide. One that encourages growth without judgment. One that prompts reflection without being preachy.

You cannot study or memorize facts to acquire soft skills anymore than you could memorize facts to reduce an anxiety disorder or depression.  Skills are practiced acts, and everyone’s practice can benefit from coaching.  And coaching, when done right, doesn’t always require a human. 

With the proper guardrails, science-based, and smart design BridgeIt can play a powerful role in helping people thrive in situations of novelty, complexity, uncertainty, and diversity. 

We’re excited to keep building that future of cultural coaching with BridgeIt leading the way.