In addition to her acting career, she has also modeled, including the advertisement campaigns for Miller Lite, Rembrandt, and Oliver Peoples sunglasses.

Carlson is the spokesperson for Smile Network International,[1] a Minnesota-based humanitarian organization that provides reconstructive surgeries and related health care services to impoverished children and young adults in developing countries.

[2] Carlson started out in theater, performing in productions of Vanities, Cheaters, Girls Guide to Chaos, Charlotte's Web, and Can't Trust the Mate.

[3] After completing work on the final episodes of Nip/Tuck in 2009, Carlson segued into a recurring role on The CW sequel of Melrose Place, playing a Hollywood madam.

[4] Carlson married Dan Stanchfield, who was then in the United States Navy; she retired from acting in 2013, when he received a permanent change of station to San Diego,[5] but did return for one role, in a faith-based direct-to-video film in 2020.