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Elkton zoning board approves special exception for The Bloom Effect counseling office
Summary
The Town of Elkton Board of Zoning Appeals on March 19 approved a special exception allowing The Bloom Effect LLC to operate a psychiatric rehabilitation/counseling office at 226 East Main Street in the RO (Residential Office) zone. The applicant said services will target high-school-age clients through adults and focus on outreach and job-readiness; no medications will be administered.
The Town of Elkton Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a special exception on March 19 allowing The Bloom Effect LLC to operate a psychiatric rehabilitation and counseling office at 226 East Main Street in the RO (Residential Office) zone.
Applicant Taraca Berrain, who said she is the owner of The Bloom Effect LLC, told the board the program aims “to bring resources to the community.” She described services for “high school all the way to adulthood,” including job readiness, counseling, psychosocial supports and outreach in schools and community locations.
“We are not going to be administering any medication,” Berrain said, adding that much of the program’s work will be outreach and coordination with local resources. She told the board she has provided services across the region for more than 10 years and that community members had contacted her about available services.
Board member Dawn Schwartz asked what professional titles staff would hold. Berrain said the team includes counselors, licensed clinical social workers who oversee clinical care, and mentors paired to clients’ personalities.
Chip Bromwell, Elkton’s zoning administrator, told the board the Planning Commission had recommended approval. Dawn Schwartz moved to approve the special exception; Shirley Hicks seconded. Chair Derek Chastain and the other board members voted Aye and the motion passed unanimously.
The application was recorded as Case #1676. The board noted one additional special-exception counseling case on the agenda for its next meeting, which Chastain set for April 16, 2026. The meeting adjourned following the vote.
