Physical restraints and medication are the norm for dealing with troubled children. "Opening Our Arms" points to an alternative to a mental health system burdened by lack of resources and hampered by bureaucracy. Based on the author's experiences, the book details the collaborative effort of the staff at one child psychiatric unit to create a non-traditional, family-centered care facility. Relying on humane, noninvasive treatments -- taking the time to talk to the children, to acknowledge their needs, and to offer hugs and support -- they found that even small actions can make a difference in the life of a troubled child. This family's process of changing their approach to healthcare serves as an example for the system as a whole.