Need advice from married women

***update*** before I ever bring up a problem I always start off with good and I always praise him for everything because I know that is his love language. I've seriously tried everything and anytime I bring up a problem I do it in a loving way I don't nag at him all day telling him what he does wrong instead I'll say "thanks so much for everything you do and I know you work super hard and I really appreciate it. You're an amazing supporter and husband and I don't know what I'd do without you! I would love to have more date nights just the two of us, what do you think?"- 
My husband was raised in a family where he never was told "good job son" or "I'm proud of you" and they hardly ever said "I love you" and he was expected to push his feelings out of the way and they didn't matter. Now it's impacting our marriage and I'm not sure how to go about it. Anytime I mention things we need to work on he takes it very personally like he is a bad husband and I tell him he's not and I love him so much but every marriage needs to be worked on to keep it strong. And i have a hard time getting him to open up to me about what is wrong and how he is feeling. 
Any advice from married women? Or anyone going through the same thing?