EMDR: is that like hypnosis or mind control?

This is a really common concern, and in short - No.

Mind control:

Relies on isolation, coercion, and a loss of agency, effectively dictating what a person should think.

EMDR is the antithesis of this process; it is a collaborative, transparent therapy that restores a client’s autonomy by allowing their own brain to lead the healing process in a safe space and grounded manner.

Hypnosis:

A therapist verbally guides you into a state of deep relaxation and suggestibility, offering directions for your mind to follow.

EMDR is fundamentally different: you remain fully alert and in control. Rather than following a therapist’s suggestions, your brain leads the way, following its own natural path toward healing. 

With EMDR you will be awake, with your eyes open (unless you prefer to keep them closed).

The actual reprocessing is divided into many short segments (~30 second) with short breaks in between.

Nothing is being done to you. You cannot be forced to heal. The therapist should be explaining the process to you, guiding you through it and mostly staying out of the way while your brain heals itself.

During EMDR, you as the client are in the driver’s seat. You are in control of the session, and can pause or stop the session at any time.

When EMDR has been completed on a traumatic memory, you will remember the processed memory, but shouldn’t relive it anymore. There might still be emotions associated with it, but the activation and distress should be reduced.

When does an EMDR therapist play a more active role?

There are some circumstances where some prompting and intervention is indicated.

For example, if the target memory starts to overwhelm the nervous system, the therapist might help you to pause and check in.

They can help you to access your resources in order to ground and reset. 

If you become ‘stuck’ and unable to move forward with healing they might ask you some questions to help determine what is blocking you, and where to go from there.

In summary, EMDR is quite different from hypnosis, and entirely distinct from mind control.

In EMDR therapy, you are in the driver's seat.