The Theory of Dimensionality

The Theory of Dimensionality

by

L.T. Force, Ph.D.

Gerontologist

Overview Narrative:

It was a beautiful evening in the Spring of 2003. I was staying in New York City overnight and flying out of JFK International Airport in the morning. I was going to Geneva, Switzerland with four of my colleagues to present our work at an International Conference on Aging & Intellectual Disabilities. Around 10pm, I decided to go out for a walk. I remember it like it was yesterday. As I was strolling down Lexington Avenue, smoking a cigar on this beautiful Spring evening – all of a sudden it hit me – the answer.

The question I had been thinking about for quite some time was: “Why is it that some people move through life with such ease – while others stumble, backpedal, feel overwhelmed, and experience life as if everything they address is in crisis mode?”

I don’t know exactly why the question emerged so strongly that evening. However, I clearly remember the face of the person I associated with this question. I had a friend whose desk at work was in chaos and shambles. Her car was in chaos and shambles. Her house was in chaos and shambles. It wasn’t just the visual representation of disorder—it was reflected in her language as well. Everything in her life felt overwhelming, unorganized, overflowing, and unmanageable.

As I thought about her, I also thought about others I knew who handled the very same challenges of living with a remarkable sense of order and ease.

During that walk down Lexington Avenue, I reflected on my training in psychology and the traditional developmental theorists—Freud, Piaget, Erikson, and others. Each developed theories explaining the workings of human development. Although their perspectives differed, they shared one important similarity: they were all stage theorists. Development, in their models, moves vertically through life stages—step by step.

That was the moment of insight!

What struck me was that development may not be determined solely by the vertical movement through stages of life. Instead, what truly influences behavior, perception, and emotional experience are the “dimensions” that exist within those stages of life.

Thus, the Theory of Dimensionality was born.

Theoretical Constructs: The Theory of Dimensionality

The Theory of Dimensionality (Force, 2003) proposes that human development must be understood through two simultaneous perspectives:

Vertical Perspective – Developmental Stages (prenatal stage to the very oldest-old stage to end- of-life

Horizontal Perspective – The influence of “Dimensions” (events and actions that occur in a particular stage)

The “dimensions” include domains such as:

Relationships

Family

Children

Health    

Finances

Self‑Concept

Career

Caregiving

Spirituality

The central construct is:

Ph = S + D

Personhood = Stage of Development + Dimensions

Personhood (Ph) emerges from the interaction between one’s developmental stage (S) and the dimensions (D) within that stage.

The construct of Personhood is expansive, organic, and progressive.

Stage (S) is fixed and cannot be changed.

Dimensions (D) are permeable and dynamic. They shift in intensity, meaning, and impact depending upon how the individual interprets them.

Inverse Relationship

An inverse relationship exists between Personhood and perceived dimensional stress:

↓ Personhood → ↑ Overwhelming Dimensions

↑ Personhood → ↓ Overwhelming Dimensions

When a person’s sense of self is diminished, life’s dimensions feel chaotic and overwhelming.

When personhood expands, the same life events become manageable.

(In essence, when you feel better about yourself….you feel better about things around you).

From Theory to Practice

A good theory provides direction for practice. From the Theory of Dimensionality emerged an applied clinical intervention:

Dimensional Solution‑Based Treatment (DSBT).

DSBT is a short‑term therapeutic intervention influenced by:

• Task‑Centered Social Work

• Solution‑Focused Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Training

• Rational Emotive Therapy

• Mindfulness Practice

DSBT is grounded in a “here and now” orientation and focuses on strengthening personhood while reframing the perception of life dimensions.

Practice Principles

Personhood = Stage + Dimensions

Personhood is expandable and progressive.

Stages of life remain fixed.

Dimensions are flexible and interpretable.

Change occurs not by altering the “dimension” itself, but by altering the person’s perception of the dimension.

Holistic Triage Model

DSBT incorporates an internal systems approach focused on three core domains:

Cognitive – thinking patterns, imagery, interpretation

Energy – nutrition, wellness, spirituality

Movement – exercise, breath work, strength, physical activation

This integrated model recognizes the inseparable relationship between mind and body.

Core principles include:

“Movement = Change”

“Change = Movement”

“Move a Muscle – Change a Thought.”

Case Illustration

“I never thought this would be my life.”

— Female client, age 39

As noted, there is no one who talks to us – more than we talk to ourselves. A 39-Year-Old Female client provided this above quote. When it was initially presented – the connotation was negative & problematic. Using her words – the focus was on “what was wrong”.  From her perspective, the landscape of life was fragmented, closing-in and negative. By recommending an infusion of the “Holistic Triage” paradigm, (i.e., a therapeutic intervention targeting Energy (Nutrition, Hydration), Strength-Building (Weight Training, Toning and Relaxation Techniques (Hypnosis, Guided imagery, Mindfulness). In combination, all three of these domains, created by the Person, a goal-oriented, structured and all-encompassing recovery path.  Thus, the client was eventually able to identify with the above quote, not from a negative perspective, but rather from a positive (celebratory) perspective.

Initially, this statement reflected despair and disappointment. Through DSBT intervention—including structured movement practices, improved nutrition and energy management, and reflective practices such as guided imagery and mindfulness—the client’s interpretation of the same statement shifted dramatically.

Over time, the same phrase became an expression of gratitude rather than regret.

“I never thought this would be my life.”

— Female client, age 39

Dimensional Solutions Recovery Program (DSRP)

The DSRP is an eight‑session action‑oriented intervention designed to disrupt maladaptive behavioral patterns and restore balance within the individual.

The program integrates:

• Cognitive reflection

• Energy restoration through wellness and spirituality

• Physical movement and strength building

Together these components produce measurable reductions in stress and improved resilience.

DSRP – Dimensional Solutions Recovery Program

(8 Sessions)

Session I – Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (DSBT) (Landscape) and Clinical Hypnotherapy  - (Guided Imagery & Relaxation Techniques)

Session II – Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (and Clinical Hypnotherapy  - (Guided Imagery & Relaxation Techniques)

Session III – Holistic Triage: Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (DSBT) -:Movement (M):  Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Session IV - Holistic Triage: Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (DSBT) Energy (E):  Nutrition & Wellness

Session V – Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (DSBT) (Landscape) and Clinical Hypnotherapy  -(Guided Imagery & Relaxation Techniques)

Session VI - Holistic Triage: Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (DSBT) - Movement (M):  Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Session VII - Holistic Triage: Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (DSBT) Energy (E):  Nutrition & Wellness

Session VIII - Dimensional Solution-Based Treatment (DSBT) and   Clinical Hypnotherapy  - (Guided Imagery & Relaxation Techniques)

Summary

Similar to the shapes highlighted above : “Dimensions take different shapes and forms ”. Change requires work and effort. The Dimensional Solution‑Based Treatment model and

The-Dimensional Solutions Recovery Program provide individuals with practical tools to strengthen personhood and build resilience.

The central philosophy of this model is:

“It is not Grow Up.

It is Grow In and Grow Out.”