The seventh step requires the therapist to facilitate the expression of needs and desires and to create events of emotional engagement and bonding that redefine attachment between partners. It is at this stage that the change process of softening blame generally occurs (Johnson, 2004). The previously withdrawn partner shared their attachment needs in stages five and six and the more blaming partner is able to reach out to the previously withdrawn partner. The withdrawn partner's statements change from “I feel numb and I'm running away” to “I want to feel special to you” (Johnson et al., 2005). Hearing the withdrawn partner engage from a vulnerable place causes the blame softening event. Depending on the level of distress within the couple, several softening events may need to occur to begin the bonding process (Johnson et al., 2005). With the couple having established a more secure bond, the therapist is now ready to move on to the final stage of EFT, consolidation (Furrow & Johnson,