How do you handle a partner who shows, not says.

I recently told my partner of 9 months that I love him, he is naturally guarded about his feelings so whilst I was convinced by how he treats me that he was there, it turns out he's only "getting there". We explored it more the next day and he said he's so incredibly lucky to have me in his life and to tell him meant the world to him, he clarified our future plans so I know he's in this for the long run. I was pretty upset about it despite all his reassurances so I brought it up in therapy. She mentioned that he is a shower of love, that through his remarkably consistent actions and words, and that he may never or at least in the next while say it back. She said I should try get real comfortable with the idea that he is clearly loving me in his own way and that may have to be enough. So I've been really testing myself on this and why I feel the need to hear the words when someone else can say them and just not mean them or treat me horribly.

I wonder do any of you have a partner like this and how do you navigate it?