The book presents itself as a guide to resisting the mind control practices of destructive cults, and focuses on the research of Margaret Singer and Robert Lifton as well as the cognitive dissonance theory of Leon Festinger.

Hassan published a revised edition in 2015 which updated information on organizations that he alleges practice mind control and use social media to increase their influence.

In the introduction, Hassan expresses discomfort with the term "deprogramming" because, though still widely considered positive by the public, it evokes images of kidnapping cult members against their will, which he no longer supports except in extreme cases.

His BITE model is based on Leon Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory, though Hassan added information as a fourth realm of control.

Louis Jolyon West writes:One is impressed by Hassan's candor in describing his experiences both within the Unification Church and after his departure from it, especially his work as an exit counselor.

It is recommended both to lay persons who wish to become better informed on this topic and to professionals in health-related fields, clergy, attorneys, judges, and others whose responsibilities bring them into contact with cults, their members, and the families whose lives are affected.

[4]Stephen Barrett, writing for the National Council Against Health Fraud Newsletter, described the book as an "insightful look at the bizarre and dangerous world of cults".

[7] Colorado state counselor Dr. Cathleen A. Mann said Hassan's BITE model "is borrowed material from a 30 year long tradition of social psychological research."

She also noted that Hassan himself works for a for-profit, anti-cult institute, as opposed to a non-profit one, and opted to self-publish (through his company's publishing house) Combating Cult Mind Control instead of seeking a more traditional route.

"[9] According to Douglas Cowan, the book utilizes a language opposing "freedom" and "captivity", based on the conceptual framework of brainwashing and thought control, and the alleged abuses of civil liberties and human rights.

[10] Irving Hexham, professor of religious studies at the University of Calgary, writes that Hassan's description of destructive cults (page 37), as "a group which violates the rights of its members and damages them through the abusive techniques of unethical mind control" is not helpful.