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Abstract

This study examined how peer dyads in an eating disorder program engaged in collaborative, recovery-oriented projects. Using the Action-Project Method, six dyads shared their experiences through recorded conversations, video recall interviews, and follow-up discussions. Five common joint projects emerged: co-creating meaningful relationships, resourcing and coping, supporting mental health, navigating personal relationships, and creating meaning through hope and identity expansion. The findings highlight the unique relational processes of peer support, showing how dyads collaboratively fostered agency, competence, and relatedness while nurturing hope and self-compassion. Results underscore peer support as a low-barrier, complementary resource within the continuum of care for eating disorders that can help build skills and reduce feelings of isolation. Although the findings are limited in generalizability, this study offers novel relational insights and suggests avenues for future research to adopt diversity-informed relational approaches and explore the effectiveness of peer support across different stages of recovery.