I am writing to get help with my 16 yr old daughter because her mother and I have observed en escalation in her negative behavior. She resists basic family rules and expectations. She has had a drop in school grades and is verbally abusive. She associates with a negative peer group and has lost interest in former productive activities, such as hobbies and sports. It is difficult to get our daughter to do simple household chores or homework without a major fight and she has displayed violent behavior. She has been manipulative and deceitful as well as seems to lack motivation. We have noted that she has taken things (including money) from brother and us without asking. She seems to lack self-esteem and has had problems with authority. It seems that no matter what rules and consequences are established, she defies them often leaving us to feel powerless. We have had her in counseling over the past several yrs and twice a week counseling over the past several months but the situation is getting worse. She has begun experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol and we are concerned that she may be sexually promiscuous.
We are concerned about her safety and about the negative impact of her behavior on her younger brother and sister. We want to find out about our options including wilderness schools and boarding schools for teens with these problems.
