Teenagers have a tough time of it: one minute we're treating them like they're five and the next, we're giving them a hard time and telling them to grow up and be more responsible. Most of the screw ups that teenagers go through are adult/ parental related and the more parents say it's nothing to do with them, the worse the problems get and the more isolated the child becomes.

None of us are perfect parents.

While looking for professional advice, you need to own up to her problems. Arrange a set time every day where you both get together and each of you start a separate visual & written diary but work on it together - compare your daily lives, work/school, friends/colleagues, boss/teacher, parent/child.. talk honestly to each other, how you both feel about everything going on around you.. draw pictures, write words, use colour, stick in pictures/ photographs of people/places.. do this and after a few weeks, you'll both have got closer; you'll get to know your daughter better and she, you and don't be surprised if you have a good laugh in a couple of weeks over something neither of you knew about the other.