University of Washington Center for Anxiety and Trauma Stress

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. A few years ago, a delivery driver noticed something peculiar on the university’s quiet campus. Among the usual boxes and packages in his truck, there lay an old, dusty teddy bear. Curious, he took it inside, only to discover that every time he mentioned its presence to someone, they seemed to forget all about it until the next day. Finally, after weeks of delivering mysterious reminders, the teddy bear ended up back where it belonged—on a therapist's desk. The delivery driver joked that maybe it was the university’s way of suggesting everyone could use some extra cuddles during stressful times. And from then on, whenever anyone saw the bear again, they just smiled and said, 'Oh yeah, that old teddy!'

2. A curious neighbor was watering their garden one afternoon when they spotted something unusual through the trees—a shadowy figure darting between buildings near the clinic. The neighbor squinted into the distance, thinking it might be just someone lost in thought. But no—there it went again, like a ghostly wraith zipping around corners. Eventually, curiosity got the better of them, and they decided to follow discreetly. Turns out, it was only a delivery driver rushing to make his next stop before lunchtime.

3. One night, a student studying late heard an odd whisper coming from outside the clinic's window. "Help us sleep," it said softly, over and over again. Curious, she leaned closer to the glass. Suddenly, a voice from inside called out, ‘Please turn off that light!’ Turns out, someone was just trying to get some much-needed rest. The next day, everyone joked that maybe they should install a ‘quiet hours’ sign.

4. One day, while filling out paperwork in the clinic's waiting room, a regular noticed a strange message scribbled on the wall: 'If you feel anxious today, come back tomorrow.' Curious, he ignored it but couldn't help checking again next week. Next time, our curious friend saw not just one, but several messages: ‘Bring your worries, leave your fears,’ and even, written in red marker, ‘Free hugs if you wait long enough.’ Eventually, after weeks of coming back, he found himself laughing at his own anxiety, realizing that the whole place was like a giant joke—perfectly calming him down.