A seal assembly for rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple compliant plates disposed between a stationary component and a rotary component of the rotary machine, and coupled circumferentially along the stationary component. Each compliant plate comprises a tip configured to be disposed facing the rotary component, and at least one plate slot extending from the stationary component towards the rotary component. The seal assembly also includes at least one annular resistance member configured to be coupled to the stationary component and disposed in the at least one plate slot in the compliant plates and one or more rotor slots or grooves located circumferentially on a surface of the rotary component proximate the tip of each of the plurality of compliant plates.