My T has also told me this and I believe her. She believes there are many kinds of love, and psychotherapy love can be genuine and legit.

My very first T from years ago also told me she loved me and again it felt very genuine and reassuring.

Obviously there's a time and a place to say such an emotive thing, and it's completely dependent on the therapy relationship. There are no rights or wrongs or ethical issues if it emerges from the healing space. I had a very deep bond with T1, and I am developing a very strong and powerful bond with current T, so it felt very healing to hear the words from both of them at different times in my life. Both said it in very different ways, not using the conventional 3 words, but it was clearly said nonetheless.

I think if it raises more issues then it should be discussed in therapy. In my case it was never needed to be talked about because it pointed to something more powerful than words and it was sufficient enough to not need further discussion.