Meet Anne-Marie Zanzal
Coming Out Coach & Chief Joyologist, Lesbian, Ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ, Mom, and Partner
Meet Anne-Marie
Why She Became a Coach
Key Areas & Topics
Vision & Mission & Core Values
Get to Know Anne-Marie
With a background rooted in group work, healthcare training, and spiritual leadership, Anne-Marie Zanzal, M.Div. has dedicated her career to supporting individuals through life’s transitions. Anne-Marie is a graduate of Yale Divinity School, ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, hospice chaplain, coming out and divorce support expert, and certified as a Compassionate Bereavement Provider. She brings a unique blend of empathy, expertise, and spirituality to their work.
Anne-Marie’s personal journey of coming out later in life profoundly shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly those navigating these experiences often after a heteronormative marriage and children. Recognizing the scarcity of support resources tailored to this demographic, she established later in life mutual support groups, providing a safe space for individuals to connect, share, and find solace. The overwhelming positive response led to the expansion of her services to include a group coaching model.
Anne-Marie’s approach is grounded in compassion, shared common humanity, and mindfulness. She believes in creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their identity, spirituality, and sexuality without judgment. Through individual coaching and group work, Anne-Marie empowers individuals to embrace their authentic selves with courage and confidence.
Why Did She Become a Coming Out Coach & chief joyologist?
After going through this process myself, along the way I met many people who didn’t have the support or resources they needed, even with a therapist.
Having someone who understands what it is like to be married to a man, have children, divorce, come out, and find partner makes all the difference. I have the ability to hold the space for people while they question, explore, and discover their sexuality identity.
Coming out is hard enough as it is, and I know that if I would have had a coach who was willing to coach the way I do, it would have made my journey a lot easier in the long run.
Key Areas & Topics Anne-Marie Focuses On
Authenticity
Living an authentic life is a life that takes courage, vulnerability, and we as individuals define what it means to be authentically ourselves. Authenticity is the key to acceptance and even love, this begins with ourselves, in our time together, you will have the space to explore, and discover what it means for you to live authentically, based on your terms and your own process.
Later in Life
People who come out later in life sometimes have a harder time accepting and embracing their sexuality. I struggled to find all the resources I needed, and I realized that those who were searching for answers later needed a safe space to learn, grow, and discover as much as someone who comes out as a teenager. For many people I work with, I empower them to find their first queer community, and a new place to connect with other people who are LGBT+.
Spirituality
I come from a strong background of faith and spiritual beliefs, which made coming out challenging in a whole new aspect. I believe that more than ever people who come from a religious background need the ability to heal from spiritual trauma as part of coming out. In the spaces I provide we explore, discover, and have open ended conversations to discover spirituality on an individual level. My goal is to hold space for you to find what works for you, you get to determine how much or how little you keep. Ultimately, I’m here for you to have what you need to have a spirituality that affirms YOU, all of you!
Coming Out
I work with a variety of people, people who are questioning their sexuality, people who are in the process of getting divorced, or they are just barely out and looking for a community. It is a process that looks a little different for everyone and no one should have to walk the path alone.
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My Vision
Coming out later in life is sometimes a difficult process, and facing it alone can make it even harder. It can also be a joyous awakening to a different life that is just unfamiliar. It takes courage, resilience, and a daily stand to authentically be ourselves. I provide affirming support for people in the LGBTQIA+ community so they have a safe space to explore, discover and find their authentic voice. The programs are designed to give my clients the tools and resources to authentically stand proud of who they are through the process from questioning sexuality to coming out.
My goal is that by providing quality support from within the LGBTQIA+ community, so that we create a more accepting, loving, and welcoming environment that helps people have the best life possible right from the start of their journey.
Mission
Living openly as a lesbian, bi, queer or trans adds a whole other level of to our lived experience, particularly when we question our sexuality or come out later in life.
I seek to resolve the shame that sometimes exists in the queer community. We deserve to live in a world that honors all LGBTQIA+ people and our experiences no matter where we are on the spectrum.
This includes respecting those in our community who have children with a straight partner, have been single for the majority of their lives, people realizing their sexuality later in life, being married to a straight spouse, those in mixed-orientation marriages, amongst other unique challenges that are prevalent for people who come out later in life.
My Core Values
Presence
I will meet you wherever you are on your journey and provide compassion and empathy.
Discernment
I will help you to clarify answers to the questions you have in your heart and soul.
No Judgement
Our stories are unique and I provide a sacred space for you to share yours.
Agendaless
My role as a coming out coach & chief joyologist is to provide support for you in your journey for you to make the best decisions for your life.