Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore qualitative research experiences in the counseling field and understand the meaning of the internal-external experiences experienced as a counselor, researcher, and educator. In particular, this study explores what experiences are formed in relation to the identity of the researcher as a counselor and the counselor as a researcher. Methods To this end, the researcher described in chronological order what experiences I have as a qualitative researcher in the counseling field and formulated the research questions ‘What did you experience in the process of qualitative research in the counseling field?’, ‘How can qualitative research be connected in the field of counselor education?’ and studied using the autoethnography method to explore its meaning. Results The results of the study are as follows: First, the researcher as a counselor, second, the counselor as a researcher, and third, the counselor and the educator as a researcher. This study is meaningful in that it contains unique experiences in qualitative research in the field of counseling by vividly exploring one's experiences with the researcher's own voice, and expands and shares an empirical understanding of the process of forming one's identity as a scientist-practitioner. Conclusions Qualitative research experience in the field of counseling can be used as a foundation for growth and can provide important meaning to counseling, research, and educational practice.