This investigation of Carl Rogers's work explores the current status of the client-centered/person-centered approach within the United States and internationally. The status is revealed 1st by the volume of person-centered literature that has been published since Rogers's death in 1987. The prevalence of Rogers's work is also measured in the number of professional organizations, institutes, and journals dedicated to the person-centered approach. Finally, recent research on therapy outcomes, common factors, the working alliance, and therapeutic relationships has validated 2 or 3 of Rogers's core conditions—empathy, unconditional positive regard, and, possibly, congruence—as being critical components of effective psychotherapy.

The historical influence that Carl R. Rogers (1902–1987) had on the field of clinical psychology, psychotherapy, and counseling is widely known—but what prevalence does Rogers's work still have today? Have current trends in research and practice rendered Rogers's contributions to that of historic, foundational interest only, or are Rogers's contributions still valid, relevant, and alive in the 21st century? This study seeks to answer this question by examining three areas in which the status of Rogers's work may be ascertained—the number of publications on the client-centered/person-centered approach, the extent of person-centered organizations and training institutes around the world, and the role of client-centered principles in the last several decades of research on psychotherapy process and outcomes.

Carl Rogers and his colleagues were the first to record, transcribe, and publish complete cases of psychotherapy (C. R. Rogers, 1942). Using these recordings, Rogers conducted and sponsored more scientific research on psychotherapy than had ever been undertaken before (e.g., C. R. Rogers & Dymond, 1954; C. R. Rogers, Gendlin, Kiesler, & Truax, 1967). Rogers developed the “nondirective,” “client-centered” approach to counseling and psychotherapy, which became a mainstay of therapists' repertoires (C. R. Rogers, 1942, 1951). In so doing, he popularized the term “client” as the recipient of...