Her research focuses on violence and mental health in low- and middle-income countries. Her current research to implement depression treatment for adolescents in Ugandan schools is funded by an Early Career Development Award (K01) from NIMH. She has previously conducted research on the intersection of violence against women and violence against children in Uganda and an effectiveness trial to reduce sexual risk and violence against women engaged in sex work in Mongolia. She has worked as a program manager and consultant for gender-based violence and child protection programs in humanitarian and development settings in Asia and Africa. Dr. Carlson is a former T32 Fellow in the Columbia Global Mental Health Program and earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University School of Social Work.