How can pharmacists use Biblical Counseling to help patients?

Welcome to my interview with Nandita Koodie, PharmD about Perfect Balance Healthcare, Biblical Counseling, and her YouTube vlog Lick, Stick, and More! If you’re interested in learning about remote patient care services, Biblical Counseling, or Nandita’s vlog Lick, Stick, and More, you will enjoy this episode.

Dr. Nandita Koodie’s Bio (12-18-22)

Nandita graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 2014. She has 13 years of experience working for three large chain pharmacies, one year in pharmaceutical research, and five years in managed and long-term care. Most recently Nandita led an independent pharmacy group in the Bay Area of California with integrated community initiatives which compelled her to pursue her current role where she now serves as a Remote Patient Care Services Consultant for independent pharmacists.

Nandita is dually licensed in Florida and California as an immunizing pharmacist and is actively pursuing Washington licensure. She founded Perfect Balance Healthcare in 2017, an organization that promotes pharmacists as patient liaisons. She has also participated as both an exhibitor and speaker for collaborative care at institutions, community events and national conferences. She is currently studying Biblical Counseling to promote the movement for behavioral health implementation and patient fellowship.

When she isn’t soaking up her friends and family, Nandita produces the video podcast “Lick, Stick, and More” to shed light on healthcare innovation and spiritual health and indulges in nature photography throughout her exploratory travel adventures.

Highlights from our conversation

Nandita helps [independent] community pharmacy owners set up and bill for remote patient care services, such as continuous glucose monitoring. She discovered her passion for helping independent pharmacies after working in large-chain retail settings. Independent pharmacies tend to be more patient-centered.

Many pharmacists dislike billing. Nandita addressing billing concerns with her clients and tries to work with systems that are already in place.

Nandita loves to meet people and learn about their strengths. For example, she has collaborated with a pharmacist whose strength is web design. Having a clinical background cuts the web designer’s learning curve so that it takes less time to “get on the same page” about content and then implement ideas.

Nandita is writing a book! She hopes to finish it by the end of 2023. The title will be: Pointing Patients to Christ, A Guide to Implementing Biblical Counseling in Health Care. Biblical Counseling can help with behavioral issues, relationships, stress, overall health, parenting, conflict resolution, and more.

Who is it for? According to Nandita, it’s for anyone who is looking to see how they can connect patients to Biblical care as a part of their holistic, comprehensive care.

Why is she writing the book? To raise awareness about Biblical Counseling, share her journey with Biblical Counseling, and equip others to use it. Many behavioral issues are automatically directed to psychiatry or psychology for medications. That may not be the solution. Although Biblical Counseling does not operate in the medical model, it can still be effective and make a positive, permanent impact on a person’s life.

Counseling can deepen relationships with patients. It offers hope and light.

Can you monetize Biblical Counseling? In some situations, donations are accepted. Others charge a fee for their services. It could just be a tool in your tool belt that is not monetized. Best practice: keep Biblical Counseling sessions separate from billable medical services.

“Lick, Stick, and More” is Nandita’s YouTube vlog/video podcast. You can find it on Perfect Balance Healthcare’s YouTube channel. She shares things she’s exploring and interviews people she knows, both inside and outside of the pharmacy profession. Nandita recommends: