PETITION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO DISPENSE WITH CONSENT TO ADOPTION.

WILKINS, J. The mother of a child born in 1980 appeals, through new appellate counsel, from a judgment of the Bristol County Probate and Family Court dispensing with the need for her (and the father's) consent to the adoption of her son.

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See G. L. c. 210, Section 3 (1984 ed.). She argues that the admission of testimony from a psychiatrist appointed by the judge to examine her was error because her communications to the psychiatrist were privileged under G. L. c. 233, Section 20B (1984 ed.). She argues further that the judge might have decided the case differently if testimony based on those communications had been excluded. She also contends that the judge improperly failed to consider the option of continued foster care as an alternative to permitting adoption without the mother's consent. We affirm the judgment.

On January 24, 1984, in response to a motion filed by counsel for the child, the judge ordered an examination of the mother by a psychiatrist whom the judge directed "to consider whether or not the mother is mentally and/or [sic] emotionally competent to adequately parent and care for her minor child." [Note 1] The order of appointment stated that the psychiatrist was appointed "to act as guardian ad litem or next friend for [the mother] to represent her interest in [the] case." This designation could not reasonably have misled the mother to rely on the psychiatrist to represent her interests. The judge's order specifically stated the task given the psychiatrist, and the psychiatrist understood that he was appointed to evaluate the mother for the purpose of establishing her ability to or inability to look after her child. [Note 2]

Evidence quite apart from the psychiatrist's testimony strongly supported the judge's conclusion to authorize adoption of the child without the mother's consent. It is nevertheless apparent from the judge's findings that the psychiatrist's testimony provided significant support for the judge's ultimate ruling. We conclude that the psychiatrist's testimony was properly admitted under one of the statutory exceptions to the psychotherapist-patient privilege.

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We recently considered whether communications from a mother to a psychiatrist were admissible in evidence in the course of a hearing on a petition to dispense with her consent to adoption. Petition of Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc., to Dispense with Consent to Adoption, 392 Mass. 738 (1984). We concluded that such a proceeding was not a "child custody case," within the meaning of G. L. c. 233, Section 20B (e), [Note 3] which permits the admission of a psychotherapist's testimony in certain circumstances in a child custody case. [Note 4]

We conclude that exception (b) of Section 20B supports the admission of the psychiatrist's testimony. That section provides that "communications [made] to a psychotherapist in the course of a psychiatric examination ordered by the court" are not privileged if a judge finds that the patient made those communications "after having been informed that the communications would not be privileged." [Note 5] The judge stated in open court that the

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mother knew the purpose of her visit when she went for her examination by the psychiatrist and that she knew she could say as little or as much as she wanted. Her counsel did not challenge the judge's finding as unsupported on the record, nor did he ask for a hearing on the question of his client's understanding (or possible lack of understanding). Trial counsel properly should have informed his client of the possible consequences to her of her communications to the psychiatrist, and he may have failed to object to the judge's conclusion because he had so informed his client. It would be better practice if the judge were to inform the patient in open court of the loss of privilege or if, pursuant to the court's order of appointment, the psychotherapist were to so advise the patient before questioning him or her. Here the question is not one of privilege against self-incrimination but rather whether the mother-patient was sufficiently informed as to the purpose and possible consequences of the psychiatric examination. On this record, the mother has no valid basis to argue now that the judge's conclusion was unwarranted.

The mother argues further that the judge should have given attention to the alternative of leaving the child in the custody of the department (and in foster care) and of taking no action to allow the petition to dispense with the mother's consent to the child's adoption. The short but complete answer is that there was no factual support for such a conclusion. The mother's unfitness, apparent from her own testimony, was caused by a condition found to be chronic. Even visitation with the mother was said to be detrimental to the child (and to her). In such circumstances, the judge was warranted in concluding that the best interests of the child were properly reflected in the judgment.

Judgment affirmed.