Which is Best?
It can be difficult to decide whether individual, group, couples, or family therapy is best or the most important at any given time. Each has their advantages.
Individual v. Group Therapy
It is a suprise to many that individual and group tend to address very similar issues. For people really interested in growth, I often think it is good to begin in individual and transition to group when 'graduating' from individual. At other times, it may be beneficial to be in both at the same time.
An advantage of group therapy is that is is generally more cost effective, generally costing about half the price of individual therapy for an additioal 40 minutes. For people interested in depth therapy, it can be a particularly attractive approach because of this. Group is also very good at helping people who struggle in relationships.
Individual therapy has an advantage of having more time devoted to your issues each week. However, most people who have been in group therapy for a while find that therapy remains very helpful even focused on other group members.
Couples Therapy v. Family Therapy
I generally recommend to discuss this with your therapist because this can be a complex choice. In general, if the conflict is too intense, it is best to begin with couples therapy and maybe transition to family therapy at a later time. Many therapists will recommend that different therapists are used for the couples and family therapy.
Individual or Couples? Which to Prioritize?
Individual therapy may, at times, create more problems in a relationship. If one partner begins to change in a way that they other person does not approve of, this can be hard on the relationship. However, individual therapy can help the couple's relationship at times, too. Similarly, many 'individual issues' will receive some attention in coupels therapy. However, sometimes these issues will be brought up and are difficult to deal with in the couples therapy format. In other words, this, too, is a complex decision.
For people who really believe divorce or separation is not an option, couples therapy often should occur before individual therapy becasue of the additional stress or problems which individual therapy can cause in a relationship. However, sometimes individual issues make it difficult to for progress to occur in couples therapy making it important to begin with individual therapy.
Which should be prioritized is a difficult decision which depends upon your values and priorities. Often, it may be beneficial to think through this decision with a therapist.
Conclusion
You maybe identified the theme of "talk to your therapist" in this section. Each of these decisions really depends upon individual factors including values, priorities, and finances. It is not realistic for many people to be in two forms of therapy at the same time. And, at times, this may not be the healthiest option. Anytime you are considering being in more than one form of therapy at a time, discuss it with your therapist first.