A young person showing strong destructive symptoms often has too much hatred toward adults, other authorities, and society for the "voice of reason" to penetrate or reach some fixed point in his or her psyche. Music, however, activates emotions raising problems of the real field of life to be dealt with in symbolic form. This paper discusses the theory and practice of music therapy in the treatment of institutionalized adolescents. Cognitive developmental psychology and the theories of Piaget, Freud, and Lewin are examined. Sections are: "Is Music an Early Form of Thinking?"; "Visions of Despair in the Background of Destructive Adolescents"; "Does Teenage Music Help in the Treatment of Destructivity?"; "Music in the Field of Life"; "Can Music Solve Crises in Real Life?"; and "The Opportunities of Music in Community Work." Music is seen as a treatment modality which may reach emotionally disturbed teenagers and traumatized individuals. (JBJ)