My pal Andy Kuczmierczyk, who has died aged 68 of most cancers, was professor of scientific psychology on the College of Hertfordshire, and likewise a life coach and a poet.
Beginning out on his profession within the late-Seventies, he studied cognitive behavioural remedy (CBT) at Middlesex hospital in central London, beneath Victor Meyer, a founding father of CBT. Andy deployed adventurous strategies together with “flooding”, which includes folks with phobias being uncovered instantly and on to the issues they worry most.
Shifting to the US in 1981, he accomplished a doctorate on the College of Athens, Georgia, and taught in varied medical faculties, turning into professor of scientific psychology on the College of New Orleans. On his return to London in 1995, Andy lectured at Metropolis College and served the NHS as a guide scientific psychologist. Appointed professor on the College of Hertfordshire in 2013, he had many educational publications to his identify, in addition to an unfinished e book concerning the therapeutic energy of forgiveness.
He was born in London to Polish dad and mom, Irma (nee Zembrzuska) and Antoni Kuczmierczyk, who had been wartime refugees. Irma was awarded Poland’s Cross of Valour for her heroic position within the Warsaw rebellion of 1944. In 1957 they moved with their two young children, Andy and his sister, Hania, to Munich to hitch Radio Free Europe, broadcasting to communist Poland.
Nevertheless, Andy and Hania returned to Britain for his or her schooling, staying with their grandparents in Highgate, north London. The siblings remained a detailed, unbreakable unit. Throughout faculty holidays in Munich, they spoke Polish with their dad and mom, German on the street and English with buddies. At St Aloysius’ school in Highgate, a Catholic grammar faculty the place most pupils had been of Polish, Irish or Italian origin, he met a number of lifelong buddies, together with me. Andy went on to review psychology and sociology at Keele College, graduating in 1976.
His Christian religion remained robust, and he believed passionately in social justice. Intensely pleased with his heritage, he was saddened by the rise of populism in Poland and the divisions of Brexit.
Andy was a complete romantic at coronary heart, and a gifted musician, linguist and songwriter. He wrote 4 collections of poetry in English and Polish, together with Transitions of Love, Hope and Religion (2009). A eager tennis participant, in his youth he seemed like Björn Borg.
Immensely common, he lived life with an infectious enthusiasm, and threw memorable events at his residence in St Albans.
He was an important listener, at his happiest serving to sufferers, family and friends face life’s challenges. His work continued proper up till he went into hospital in August after his most cancers analysis.
Whereas working within the US, he met and in 1988 married Jola Pasikowska. They divorced in 2003. Andy is survived by their two kids, Ala and Alex, Hania and his nephew, Danny.
