I see two Ts regularly (one significantly less so at the moment because of work) and thankfully each have worked as a backup for the other. I'd be lost without the arrangement.

When I went through a transition where I had to abruptly stop seeing one for a while and saw the other with about 1/3rd the frequency (went from 3x weekly to 1x with her) I did get a "back up T". She was on my insurance, close to work, had hours that fit my schedule and was willing to see me knowing my what my regular routine was.

I worked with this T to manage the day to day stress and adjustments I was making (saw her 3 or 4 times). It went well and I'd do it again. Both the backup T and my Ts knew about eachother - I'd not have done it without that only because I have worked in a collaborative team approach my entire time in treatment. Backup T and my Ts/P had no need to talk, so it was a pretty painless experience.

I think backup Ts can be really helpful and most helpful when both they and your T know about the arrangement and work congruently in treatment (this is usually more my job though - my team only coordinates when Big things are going on that involve paperwork).

Can I ask... Would you sacrifice your academic career to avoid the pain of leaving your T? I ask because it sorta seems implied and because I know part of what took me a bit to change jobs was knowing I would go through hell to do so. I'm on the other side of hell right now, and it's not better yet... But it gets there.